Every year, thousands of gamers unite to raise money for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals or any of their choosing through a charity organization called Extra Life. Since 2008, the organization has raised over $30 million for Children’s Hospitals all over the country by encouraging gamers to do what they do best over the course of a 25-hour marathon and raise money through being sponsored and through friendly competition. Most gamers livestream their performances and interact with their viewers and communities through YouTube and Twitch.

4-year “Extra-Lifer,” John Wilkinson, spoke about the excitement he felt during the marathon in an interview recently. “It’s been a very humbling experience to see how many people are willing to give up a day–or give up a 24-hour period of time to make this event happen.”

To learn more, or be a part of this movement in the gaming community whether through participation or donation, click here.

Extra Life is a fantastic organization and it feels like the gaming world doesn’t get nearly enough attention for all the good it does. The media will gladly jump on the first opportunity to blame games for some disaster though. Hopefully this changes as gamers get older and they become the media and the politicians.

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